THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS A STUDY OF REVELATION PART 8 Today we begin a new segment of Revelation. Thus far, we have noted the Divine outline of Revelation consisted of three great truths. (Revelation 1:19) In Chapter 1, we have noted The Christ. In Chapter 2 we have noted The Church. Beginning in Chapter 4, we will see The Consummation. I. THREE DESTINATIONS ARE VIEWED IN REVELATION A. Earth. 1. John was on Patmos. (1:9) 2. The seven churches held geographical areas on earth. (2, 3) 3. The Tribulation will take place on earth. (Chapter 6 and following) 4. Many of the events in Revelation will take place on the earth. 5. The Reign of Christ will take place on earth. (20:6) B. Heavens 1. John was caught up into Heaven (4:1) a. We are touching the throne in this chapter. b. From Patmos, this became a breathtaking moment! 2. The throne room in Heaven is seen (4-5) 3. Those slain in the Tribulation are seen in Heaven (Revelation 6) 4. Christ is seen coming from Heaven (Revelation 19) C. Underworld 1. The pit (9:1, 11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:3, just to name a few) 2. Hell (1:18; 6:8; 20:13, 14) 3. Lake of Fire (19:20; 20:14, 15; 21:8) II. THE CHURCH IS REMOVED FROM EARTH IN REVELATION 4 A. Theologians differ about the time of the Rapture. 1. In this study, we only have time to mention some of those views: a. The partial Rapture position b. Pre-tribulationist c. Mid-tribulationist d. Post-tribulationist 2. For the sake of clarification, we believe the Bible teaches the pre-tribulation Rapture. B. Revelation 4:1, 2 is very illuminating as it pertains to the Rapture. 1. Note the words after this. (Church Age). (4:1) 2. Also note the phrase things which must be hereafter. (4:1) 3. The scene now moves from earth to Heaven (4:1) 4. Jesus will call His Church up to Heaven. (I Thess. 4:16-18)
5. When Jesus comes for His Church, there will be the sound of a trumpet. (4:1; I Thess. 4:16) 6. The Rapture will take place immediately: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. (4:2; I. Cor. 15:52) 7. The Spirit is missing. a. In Revelation 2, 3, the Spirit was speaking to the churches (2:7, 11, 17, 29-3:6, 13, 22) b. During the Tribulation period, the terminology changes: If any man hath an ear let hear (13:9) c. The Holy Spirit has been taken out! For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (I Thess. 2:7) d. The Holy Spirit goes out with the believers at the Rapture! III. THE ONE ON THE THRONE (4:2) A. The word throne is used at least 10 times in this chapter. B. The description of the person on the throne. (4:3, 4) 1. Like a jasper (4:3) a. Human language cannot describe the Glory of God b. John uses jewels to portray the magnificence of God. c. Jasper is a clear gem clear as crystal like a diamond. (21:11) d. This stone can speak to the Holiness of God. 2. A sardine stone. (4:3) a. The sardine stone was red in color. b. This stone can speak to the redemption of God. 3. A rainbow round about the throne, in the sight like unto an emerald. (4:3) a. The rainbow has been seen before in Genesis 9. b. The rainbow represents God s covenant of grace. c. The rainbow is a complete circle, not an arc. d. In Heaven, all things are complete. IV. THOSE AROUND THE THRONE (4:4) A. They are 24 in number. 1. They may represent God s complete redeemed society. 2. There were 12 tribes in Israel. 3. There were 12 Apostles of the Lamb. 4. These two groups represent those redeemed by blood. 5. They sing about redemption (5:8, 9) 6. They are seated; their work is accomplished. (4:4) 7. They have crowns on their heads. (4:7) a. There are two words used for crowns in the New Testament: i. Diadem The crown of a sovereign. ii. Stephanos The crown of a victor or overcomer. b. The word used here is the crown of a victor.
i. These people had overcome persecution. ii. These people had overcome death. iii. They had overcome all that Satan had hurled at them. iv. They are in God s presence, redeemed and rewarded. B. They are clothed in white rainment, which symbolized the Righteousness of Christ, which they have received. (4:4) V. THAT WHICH COMES OUT OF THE THRONE. (5:5) A. The storm warning is seen. (5:5) B. The judgment of God is about to fall on the world. (8:5) 1. John sees the elements out of the throne. (4:5) 2. John hears the elements out of the throne (4:5) 3. John was treated to a sound and light show which was out of this world. 4. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. (Heb. 10:31) C. The fullness of the Holy Spirit is seen. (4:5) 1. This truth has been seen before. (1:4-3:1) 2. Since the Holy Spirit is invisible, He must be embodied in some way to be seen. He is compared to seven lamps of fire burning. (4:5) 3. The seven Spirits of God represent the complete active discernment of all matters and affairs of the Holy Spirit. (4:5; Isaiah 11:2. 3) VI. THAT WHICH IS BEFORE THE THRONE (4:6) A. A sea of glass like unto crystal. (4:6) 1. Please note the phrase, like unto crystal. 2. It is a term used to try and describe what he saw. 3. The floor around God s throne is like a crystal sea. B. The cheerleaders in Heaven are seen. (4:6-9; living ones) 1. Beyond everything else, they are there to praise God. (5:8) 2. They ascribe holiness to our Lord ceacelessly: Day and night (5:8) 3. Isaiah identifies these living ones as seraphims. (Isaiah 6:2, 3) a. Six wings (Isaiah 6:2) i. With two wings they covered their face. ii. With two wings they covered their feet. iii. With two wings they did fly. b. Their eyes represent omnipresence. (v. 6) 4. Their four depictions can have many meanings (v. 7; Here is one meaning: they represent the four Gospels.) a. Lion Jesus the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; King. (Matthew; Revelation 5:5) b. Calf or ox Servant; Jesus was busy working (Mark) c. Face as a man Son of Man (Luke 19:10) d. Eagle Soars high (John 6:38: For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. ) 5. They proclaim a holy for each member of the Trinity. (v. 8)
6. They acknowledge His Power. (v. 8: Lord God Almighty ) a. God is abundant in strength. b. God is incomparable in power. c. No one can hold back His Hand. d. No one can thwart Him. e. Nothing is too difficult for Him. 7. They acknowledge his Eternality v. 8; Which was, and is, and is to come ) a. He abides forever. b. He is the King Eternal. c. He alone is immortal. 8. They give God worship (v. 9: And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne. ) VII. THE REDEEMED WHO ARE OVERCOME BEFORE THE THRONE ARE AGAIN SEEN. (4:10, 11) A. They again represent God s redeemed society. (4:4) B. When they fall before Him, they: 1. Give Him His proper place. 2. Recognize His sole authority. 3. Honor His exalted position. C. They worship God: 1. They fall before the throne. (5:10) 2. The word worship means: a. To bow down. b. To prostrate oneself. 3. Worship reveals the worthiness of the God we worship. D. The gifts given back to the Creator. (5:10) 1. Every saved person is saved by the mercy of God s grace. 2. The outflow of salvation is works. (Ephesians 2:8, 9) 3. At least five crowns can be given to the faithful Christian. 4. Those crowns would not be possible without the gifts God gives. 5. His Power and Presence gives the abilities to gain crowns. 6. We will have the opportunity to lay them at His Precious Feet someday! (4:10) E. The purpose for which god made the human race is seen. (4:11) 1. Our God is the Creator of all things. (4:11) a. Colossians 1:16: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. b. John 1:3: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 2. We were created to praise our Great God. (4:11) a. Everything is to renown to God s glory. (4:11) b. We have been redeemed to praise Him. (4:11)
i. Romans 11:36: For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. ii. II Thessalonians 1:10: When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 3. A thought for the believer to think on: a. We praise God for saving us. b. Have we ever praised God for creating us? i. In Heaven, we will know the joy of having been created. ii. There are no songs of evolution in Heaven, only songs of Creation!